My boyfriend's wonderful mother Martha wanted to show her support of my decision to go into development and specifically to spend my summer in Liberia.  Late last July, she sent an email with a gesture of her support and admiration. She would give money to whatever cause I wanted it Liberia.

I was touched, of course.  What wasn't obvious as I read her email was how eye opening the decision process that ensued would be.  For the first time I actually had the philanthropist hat on.  I didn't wan...